1. Continue to Drink Fluids
It may seem to go against common sense to keep drinking water and other beverages when you are eliminating loose, watery stools, but staying hydrated is a very important part of treating and controlling diarrhea. When you have diarrhea, waste is exiting your body at what sometimes seems to be record speeds. With everything moving so quickly through your system, your body may not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs. You have to continuously replace the fluids and electrolytes you've lost so you don't end up sicker than you already are. Sports drinks are an ideal choice to help replace lost electrolytes, but they may be too sugary for your digestive system to handle when you have diarrhea. Trying diluting sports drinks with water to reduce the sugar content.
2. Restrict Your Diet
Control your diarrhea by restricting your diet temporarily. If you experience bloating and cramping along with your diarrhea, you may want to limit yourself to clear liquids, gelatin desserts and crackers until you begin to feel better. If your bouts are beginning to ease up, you can add some bland foods like bananas, rice, toast and plain baked chicken. Start off small and evaluate how you feel after eating. If your diarrhea comes back or gets worse, go back to the clear liquid diet. Dairy products, foods with a high fat content, alcohol and caffeine can all irritate your stomach and digestive system and should be avoided during this time.
3. Control Diarrhea With Medications
Viral diarrhea can't be cured, though some people find relief to some degree through over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications. Consult your doctor before taking these medicines for long periods of time, as they may become ineffective when used for the long term. Some types of diarrhea are caused by parasites or bacteria and must be treated with antibiotics. If you think you have come in contact with parasites or bacteria through traveling, contaminated food or other means, contact your doctor for testing. If you experience diarrhea for more than 5 days, show signs of dehydration or run a fever of 101 degrees F or higher, seek medical attention. You may need to control your diarrhea through medication or be rehydrated with intravenous fluids.
